In March 2006, the complete design of Sun Microsystems’ UltraSPARC T1 microprocessor was released in open source form, named OpenSPARC T1. In early 2008, its successor, OpenSPARC T2, was also released in open source form. These were the first (and still only) 64-bit microprocessors ever open sourced. They were also the first (and still only) […]
Category Archives: code
Dice Puzzle Box
Deddies Lab has a puzzle box project based on the an Atmega328, an accelerometer and a servo controlled locking system. The object is to get inside a dice-labeled box by tilting it in the correct sequence thereby entering the secret code. When the correct code has been detected by the accelerometer a servo unlocks the […]
Arduino talking to an I2C LCD display
StrangeParty demos how to use the Matrix Orbital 20×4 display with Arduino via I2C using the Wire library. The LK204-25 is a serial display, so connection to the Arduino requires just two wires to accept I2C commands and data. We expect this same procedure would work with other manufacturers’ I2C LCDs. Simple and useful if […]
MHV AVR tools – a WinAVR alternative
Noting that WinAVR has been marked as inactive, Make Hack Void, a hackerspace crew from down under, has devised their own alternative: MHV AVR Tools. They also are working on MHVLib – an efficiency oriented library for AVR microcontrollers.
Beginners guide to open source AVR dev tools
Interactive Matter has produced a detailed tutorial on developing software for the Atmel AVR with AVR-Eclipse, AVR-GCC & AVRDude. Designed for beginners, following these steps will result in the installation of a full fledged IDE, with code completion, one click building, no make files and buttons to flash the AVR.
Arduino Tetris on video game shield
Wayne and Layne have adapted Myles Metzler’s Tetris clone for use on their Video Game Shield, including support for the Nunchuck, class controller and music. Source code is included. Via Make.
Reading and writing Atmega168 EEPROM
Here’s a tutorial from Protostack for beginners on how to read and write EEPROM on the Atmega 168 and display the values on an attached LCD. Includes source code in C.
Django: Python web framework
Django is a high-level Python Web Framework that encourages rapid development and clean, pragmatic design. It is known for it’s extensive documentation. Django is Open Source Software (BSD license).
Handling exceptions in Processing
Here’s some interesting information from the MAKE Codebox about how to handle errors and exceptions which appear in the Processing IDE. A good look at what causes exceptions along with suggestions on how to deal with them.
Making of the Defcon 18 badge
Joe Grand of Grand Idea Studio presents the backstory to his design of the Defcon 18 conference badge. (Joe’s talk actually begins at 09:05.) The badge is based around a Freescale MC56F8006 16-bit digital signal controller and a Kent Displays 128-by-32 pixel reflective cholesteric liquid crystal display (ChLCD). Other functionality includes USB connectivity, seamless power […]
Reverse geocaching puzzle box
Here’s a twist on the old practice of geocaching: a Reverse Geocaching Puzzle Box! Alternet presents a puzzle box containing a geocache prize which only opens when it is in the correct geolocation. This fairly complex, novel project uses a PIC 18F*39 microcontroller (exact part not specified on schematic) interfaced with a 2×16 LCD to […]
Microchip RF transceiver
William Dillon shares his project, including code, schematic and board file, for his RF transceiver based on the Microchip MRF49XA. Via Hack a Day
MSP430 Launchpad oscilloscope
NJC’s MSP430 Launchpad blog presents the LaunchScope . Using no additional hardware beyond the Launchpad, this project includes code for both the MSP430 as well as PC client display software written in C#.
Teensy plays Guitar Hero
If you’ve got a Guitar Hero and have the urge to cheat here’s the circuit for you. Johnny Chung Lee at Procrastineering has developed a Teensy based circuit and program which analyzes the video stream from the game console to autonomously play the game. Via Hack a Day.
Arduino Brain Machine
You may be familiar with Mitch Altman’s Brain Machine. A really trippy device that’s easy to build and program if you have a spare Attiny2313 and ISP programmer. Here HackDev has ported the code over to the Arduino!
Hackety Hack V1.0 released
Hackety Hack has just released V1.0 of their interactive tutorial for learning the Ruby programming language. HH, combined with its corollary Shoes (a GUI dev toolkit) will get you coding with Ruby in no time. Check out their new website for information and downloads. While their approach is unorthodox and seems geared toward the pre-college […]
Arduino controlling X10
Here’s a project including code developed by Geek Cowboy that combines Arduino, RFID and the X10 controller library for home automation purposes.
SimpliciTI™ protocol
SimpliciTI™ is a low-power RF protocol aimed at simple, small RF networks. This open-source software was designed for easy implementation and deployment out-of-the-box on several TI RF platforms such as the MSP430 family of low-power MCUs and the CC1XXX/CC25XX/CC430 transceivers and SoCs. Access point and range extenders are not required but provide extra functionality such […]
RFID Arduino punchclock
If your kids are RFID enabled, here’s a project to give you peace of mind: the Kid-e-log by tronixstuff. Using an Arduino, EEPROM, RFID reader, real time clock chip and LCD readout you can keep electronic tabs on the kids by having them clock in and out of the house with RFID cards. A comprehensive […]
Codebox: save Arduino sensor data to Google
Many are familiar with how to read data from Arduino into Processing. One such example varies the a PC’s onscreen graphics relative to the intensity of light on an LDR. Here MAKE presents a project which web enables Arduino sensor projects, allowing Processing data to be communicated and stored in a Google spreadsheet doc.